CES: Sony Xperia Z Announced as Waterproof Android Smartphone

LAS VEGAS, USA – Sony showcased the Xperia Z and the Xperia ZL that should allow it to regain relevance in the cut-throat smartphone arena.

The Japanese electronics giant claims that the high-end Xperia Z is the most dirt and water resistant smartphone ever. The Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS-running device is waterproof to three-feet for up to 30-minutes and is dust-resistant as it has a durable glass display and ports with flaps that keep them watertight.

Both the Xperia Z and ZL sport a 5-inch 1920 x 1080 (full HD) screens built on the Mobile Bravia Engine 2. They also have powerful 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processors with 2GB of RAM, microSD card slots to complement the 16GB of on-board storage, 13MP cameras that use Sony’s new Exmor RS image sensor, NFC, and 4G LTE connectivity.

Aside from the high-end specs, both devices feature a Battery Stamina Mode that allows users to set their phone to continue getting data email, or Google Voice notifications, or even Facebook when the screen is off. This feature extends standby time by 400%.

The Xperia ZL is the slightly thicker than the Z and it doesn’t have the waterproof feature. The ZL though boasts of a bigger battery, a physical camera button, and a universal remote control feature.

The Sony phones will be launching around the world in the first quarter of the year.